Fire poker with air conduit and check valve

ABSTRACT

A fire poker includes a handle, an elongate tube and a tip end. A check valve assembly is positioned in the handle and fluidly coupled with an air conduit extending from the handle to the tip end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fire poker.

FIG. 2A is a sectional view of a handle of the fire poker of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is a sectional view of a cap for positioning on the handle of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is a top plan view of a check valve body.

FIG. 3B is a top plan view of a flapper.

FIG. 3C is a sectional view of a check valve assembly incorporating the check valve body of FIG. 3A and the flapper of FIG. 3B.

FIG. 4A is a side view of an elongate tube.

FIG. 4B is an end view of the elongate tube of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is a side view of a tip end.

FIG. 5B is a schematic end view of the tip end of FIG. 5A assembled to the elongate tube of FIG. 4A.

DESCRIPTION

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a fire poker 10 includes a handle 12, an elongate tube 14 and a tip end 16. FIG. 2A illustrates the handle 12, which includes an outer surface 20 (e.g., formed of wood) configured to be grasped by a user and an internal lumen 22 (e.g., an air conduit) extending from an inlet end 24 to an outlet end 26. A mouth piece or cap 30 is positioned around one end of the handle 12 and includes a tapered inlet surface 32 and an inner cylindrical surface 34, as illustrated in FIG. 2B. The cap 30 is positioned to be secured to one end of the handle 20. The tapered surface 32 is configured to receive lips of a user such that the user can blow directly into the inlet end 24.

Positioned within the handle 12 and in communication with the inner lumen 22 is a check valve assembly 40, as further illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3C. The check valve assembly 40 includes a check valve body 42 having an outer annular ring 44 and an internal valve support structure 46. The valve support structure 46 is illustratively crossed shaped and secured to the outer ring 44. In one embodiment, the check valve body 42 can be formed of metal (e.g. stainless steel) using a stamping process. A flapper 50 (or other deflectable element) can be secured to the support structure 46. In one embodiment, the flapper 50 is secured using a central aperture 52 and a fastener 54 securing the flapper 50 to the support structure 46. The flapper 50, in one embodiment, is formed of a thin membrane (e.g., a 0.1 mm thick poly-vinyl chloride membrane). The flapper 50 is configured to deflect away from the inlet end 24 to allow air to pass from the inlet end 24. Conversely, the flapper 50 is designed to block air flow from the outlet end 26 to the inlet end 24. Accordingly, smoke entering the outlet end 26 will be prevented from reaching the cap 30.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the tube 14 includes an outer cylindrical surface 60 defining an internal lumen 62. The lumen 62 includes a first, inlet end 64 and a second, outlet end 66. The inlet end 64 is in fluid communication with the outlet end 26 of the handle 12. The lumen 62 carries air along a length of the tube 14 to the outlet end 66.

With reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the tip end 16 includes a proximal end 70 and a distal end 72. The proximal end 70 is sized to fit within the outlet end 66 of the handle 14. In one embodiment, the proximal end 70 can be secured to the outlet end 66 of the handle 14 using a welding process. Additionally, the tip end 16 can include a notched surface 74 and a prong 76 positioned on opposite sides of the tip end 16. Both the notched surface 74 and prong 76 can be useful in tending fires and moving burning wood in the fire. As schematically illustrated in FIG. 5B, the tip end 16 defines opposed surfaces 78 a and 78 b. When proximal end 70 is inserted and secured into outlet end 66 of the elongated tube 14, air flow from the lumen 62 is diverted by the proximal end 70 to each of the surfaces 78 a and 78 b.

During use, a user of the fire poker 10 can position his or her lips on the cap 30 and blow into the lumen 22 through check valve assembly 40. This blowing action will cause the flapper 50 to deflect with respect to the valve body 42. Subsequently, air from the blowing action will travel through the outlet end 26 and into the inlet end 64 of lumen 62. Air travels along the lumen 62 to the outlet end 66. From outlet end 66, air is diverted along the surfaces 78 a and 78 b, providing air to a fire positioned at the tip end 16. In particular, a first outlet 66 a is created on surface 78 a and a second outlet 66 b is created on a second surface 78 b.

Various embodiments of the invention have been described above for purposes of illustrating the details thereof and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. The details and features of the disclosed embodiment[s] are not intended to be limiting, as many variations and modifications will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to be interpreted broadly and to include all variations and modifications coming within the scope and spirit of the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 

1. A fire poker, comprising: a handle including a check valve assembly positioned within the handle; an elongate tube defining an internal lumen in fluid communication with the check valve assembly; and a tip end positioned at an outlet end of the elongated tube.
 2. The fire poker of claim 1, wherein the tip end defines a proximal end positioned within the lumen of the tube, the tip end further positioned to divert air from the lumen of the tube to opposed surfaces of the tip end.
 3. The fire poker of claim 1, wherein the check valve assembly includes an outer ring, a support structure secured to the outer ring and a flapper secured to the support structure.
 4. The fire poker of claim 1, wherein the handle is formed of wood.
 5. The fire poker of claim 4, wherein the elongate tube is formed of metal.
 6. The fire poker of claim 1, wherein the tip end includes at least one of a notched surface and a prong.
 7. In a fire poker with a first end having a handle configured to be grasped by a user and a second end having a tip end configured to position pieces of wood in a fire, a lumen assembly, comprising: an inlet end positioned proximate the first end; an outlet end positioned proximate the second end; an inner surface configured to transport air between the inlet and the outlet end; and a check valve assembly communicatively coupled with the inner surface so as to allow forced air to travel from the inlet end to the outlet end and prevent forced air from traveling from the outlet end to the inlet end.
 8. The lumen assembly of claim 7, further comprising a tip end positioned at the outlet end, the tip end defining opposed surfaces and positioned to direct air from the outlet end to the opposed surfaces.
 9. The lumen assembly of claim 7 wherein the check value assembly includes an outer ring, a support structure secured to the outer ring and a flapper secured to the support of the structure.
 10. A method of tending a fire using a fire poker defining an inner lumen configured to carry air from an inlet end to an outlet end, comprising: positioning a tip end of the fire poker proximate the fire; forcing air from the inlet end to the outlet end; and after forcing, preventing air from travelling from the outlet end to the inlet end.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein forcing includes deflecting a portion of a check value assembly away from the inlet end.
 12. The method of claim 10, further comprising directing air at the outlet end to two opposing surfaces of a tip end. 